Van Conway is internationally recognized in the fields of insolvency/bankruptcy; financing, reorganization and management of troubled companies; mergers and acquisitions; debt restructuring; and litigation support.

Mr. Conway has provided advisory services to under-performing businesses and related parties for over thirty years and is a Certified Turnaround Professional, Certified Insolvency and Restructuring Advisor, Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, and was one of the first members of, and still is active in, the Turnaround Management Association. He has been engaged as a consultant and financial advisor to clients in various industries, including automotive, manufacturing, municipal & governmental, healthcare, steel, service, contracting, distribution and transportation.

As a financial advisor, Conway has worked closely with debtors, lenders and creditor committees in out-of-court, Chapter 11 and Chapter 9 restructurings. He has provided consulting services in turnaround, profit enhancement, and cost reduction strategies. 

The $18 billion Chapter 9 bankruptcy by the City of Detroit was the largest municipal restructuring in the history of the United States. Conway and his firm played a key role on the road to recovery, personally providing pro-bono advisory services to the efforts. His firm discounted their regular rates by 25 percent for the municipal project and finished the job under budget and ahead of schedule.

Conway was inducted into the M&A Advisor Hall of Fame in 2014. Additionally, he was honored with the 2014 Leadership Award. Selected by a committee of industry experts, the award recipients are judged on their individual accomplishments, the contribution they have made to their firm, its employees, and the lasting benefits they have brought to their profession at large. He is the only professional in Michigan that is in the Hall of Fame.

In the area of litigation support services, Conway is uniquely qualified to provide expert testimony on lost profits, economic damages, business valuation and related matters. He is a Certified Valuation Analyst, Certified Patent Valuation Analyst, Certified in Distressed Business Valuation, Accredited in Business Valuation and Certified in Financial Forensics by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. As a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner he also offers assistance with fraud related issues, including detection, investigation, and quantification.  

Previous Experience

For over 25 years, he was CEO and President of Conway MacKenzie in Birmingham, MI where he was the Founding Partner. Conway’s professional career started at Deloitte, Haskins & Sells (now Deloitte) where he ascended to Partner-in-Charge of the Emerging Business Services Department for the Detroit office. At Deloitte, Conway represented clients in acquiring, negotiating and structuring fixed asset financing, working capital financing and real estate financing including lease negotiations. Also, he prepared and evaluated business plans and financial projections for growth-oriented companies seeking outside financing. 

Conway has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from John Carroll University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Detroit. Additionally, he has served on several corporate Boards of Directors and has spoken and written articles on all of the specialized areas noted. 

Awards and Recognition

2019 Reader Rankings/Best Company - Best Forensic Expert - Top Ranking Under Forensic Accounting & Litigation Consulting - Michigan Lawyers Weekly (2019)

The Leadership Achievement Award - Global M&A Network (2015)

Mega Transaction of the Year Award - Turnaround Management Association (2015)

Distinguished Patron -  Brother Rice High School (2015)

2015 Restructuring of the Year - M&A Advisor (2015)

Detroit 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For – National Association for Business Resources (2012 & 2015)

Outstanding Turnaround Firm – Beard Group (2012, 2013 & 2015)

Successful Restructurings – City of Detroit – Beard Group (2014 & 2015)

M&A Advisor Hall of Fame - Global M&A Network (2014)

Detroit’s 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For – National Association for Business Resources (2014)

Outstanding Contribution in the Field of Corporate Renewal – The TriState Association for Corporate Renewal (2013)

Restructuring Deal of the Year (Between $10 million and $100 million) – M&A Advisor (2013)

National 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For – National Association for Business Resources (2012 & 2013)

Real Estate Deal of the Year (Under $500 million) – M&A Advisor (2012)

Turnaround Firm of the Year – Global M&A Network (2011)

Middle Market Turnaround Consulting Firm of the Year – Global M&A Network (2011)

Turnaround of the Year – Global M&A Network (2011)

EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2004)

Publications, Presentations and Papers

Michigan Lawyers Weekly “The Why How and When of Business Valuations” 

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, “White Collar Super Sleuth” 

Crain’s Detroit Business, “Enhancing Profitability While Guarding Against the Inevitable Next Downturn”

Michigan Banker, “A Call for Discipline; While Our Michigan Economy Remains Strong, Companies and Their Lenders Should Guard Against the Inevitable ‘Next Downturn’”

Detroiter, “A New Breed of Super Sleuth”

Detroit Legal News, “Forensic Accountant Can Help Keep One Step Ahead of White Collar Crime” 

The Legal Advisor (Oakland County), “Forensic Accountant Can Help Keep One Step Ahead of White Collar Crime” 

Crain’s Small Business, “Impact of Banking Consolidations: Small-to Mid-sized Business Owners Must Focus Lending Sights; Secure Sound Counsel” 

The Legal Intelligencer, “Making the Best Use of an Expert Witness”

Detroit Legal News, “How to Make the Best Use of an Expert Financial Witness” 

Michigan Lawyers Weekly “Making the Best Use of an Expert Financial Witness” 

Corporate Detroit, “While Our Michigan Economy Remains Strong, Fundamental Industry Reorganizations Continue”

Speaking Engagements